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Aberfan

(112 Posts)
gettingonabit Tue 18-Oct-16 11:55:13

Just wanted to remind everyone that this year is the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster and that there will be a series of programmes to mark the event.

Unmissable-please watch.

wot Wed 19-Oct-16 01:00:07

Dear Anniebach,
Reading your post made it all come alive to me and touched my heart. you are so brave to live through all of it and still have your faith. Your post feels like it taught me lots.

WilmaKnickersfit Wed 19-Oct-16 01:47:21

I have no words Annie, but I will join you for the minute's silence on Friday. flowers

Greenfinch Wed 19-Oct-16 06:54:01

What a hard

Greenfinch Wed 19-Oct-16 06:55:23

What a hard time for you Annie both then and now.Thinking and praying for you.

Oldgreymare Wed 19-Oct-16 07:42:13

Thinking of you Anniebach and so many others.
I was in my first year of teaching. Another young teacher from my college,who qualified at the same time, died in that disaster.
I heard, recently,an item on the radio mentioning how, it was suggested, some of the money sent to Aberfan was to be used. Wish I could remember the details.

TwiceAsNice Wed 19-Oct-16 08:38:24

I was 13 when Aberfan happened I remember vividly what I was doing and how we all felt. It is THE major tragedy for Welsh people. I will keep the minutes silence on Friday Annie. If any of you have not seen the memorial for the children it is so beautiful and touching. I can't believe it's 50 years and as one who knows you never get over the death of a child and in such terrible circumstances too.

tiffaney Wed 19-Oct-16 11:57:01

So sad for all the families involved. I remember that Friday night so well as a 20 year old watching the news. The programme about the young wives club was so moving. And Annebach, your post was also very moving. Much love and respect to all who lost someone that awful day.

Anniebach Wed 19-Oct-16 12:07:23

I hope this meets with the approval of members. I am unsure if I will go home on Friday, depends how brave I feel.

I have arrange for my flowers to be laid and they are given from - mothers and grandmothers of gransnet . I cannot say if they will be laid at the cemetery or the memorial garden.

Hope this doesn't cause upset

BBbevan Wed 19-Oct-16 12:15:53

God bless Anniebach.

I am from a mining family myself. Stil have great uncles buried under the pit at Senghenydd.

Anniebach Wed 19-Oct-16 12:26:49

Aw, my grandfather and g Grandfather were at Senghenydd rescuing the miners, my g grandfather who was a baptist minister also took part in the burial services,

BBbevan Wed 19-Oct-16 12:57:55

We always visit the Memorial garden when we go down there.
We are moving back to Wales in a few weeks, can't wait. Hope all goes well if you do decide to go on Friday.

gettingonabit Wed 19-Oct-16 15:54:46

These memories are heartbreaking.

I was six at the time of Aberfan, and raised a couple of valleys over. Aberfan is the first event I remember. I remember my mother saying that the Queen was coming to Aberfan on a visit. It must've been in the aftermath of the incident.

Seeing all the footage 50 years later must be so harrowing for those affected.

A generation wiped out. What a tragedy.

SueDoku Wed 19-Oct-16 16:07:51

Thank you Annie I appreciate your tbough about the flowers very much. I was 18 and remember my Mum in tears watching the news on TV. I watched the Young Wives Club last week in floods of tears - it really was the tragedy that marked the end of my childhood, and it still moves me greatly. My thoughts will be with you on Friday flowers

grannyqueenie Wed 19-Oct-16 16:11:37

I've just read your post, Anniebach, there's so often a whole host of stories behind what's reported in the media. Thank you for sharing such personal insights into what happened at Aberfan. Flowers are a lovely idea, bless you for thinking of it. xx

Marelli Wed 19-Oct-16 16:34:41

Anniebach, it would be really nice of you to do that.
My daughter, who was 50 just a couple of weeks ago, watched the Young Wives Club, and wept.
I remember my dad doing the same, saying, "All those little children....."

Nelliemoser Wed 19-Oct-16 23:02:52

This afternoon I watched the program about the inquiry and the "Surving Aberfan" which oddly was already on Iplayer today.

Very harrowing, with film footage I had never seen before.
Thinking of you this week Anniebach flowers

Anniebach Wed 19-Oct-16 23:28:39

Thank you all , you have expressed such sorrow for the people of Aberfan and in doing so , you have also expressed your sorrow for my relatives , my friends , my neighbours and been so kind to me. I was dreading this week , felt quite alone , you took that loneliness away .

Our flowers are ordered and will be in the village for Friday

bikergran Thu 20-Oct-16 09:11:25

Anniebach I'm sure you have brought together lots of Gnetters and they will all be joining you in their thoughts tomorrow. As always, Gnetters join forces when anyone or everyone needs that extra bit of support. flowers

mrsmopp Thu 20-Oct-16 12:20:03

The whole thing could have been prevented as there were enough warnings made but the powers that be ignored the warnings, then denied all responsibility. Thus adding to the agony of thos families. That is unforgivable.

merlotgran Thu 20-Oct-16 12:32:45

A lovely gesture, Anniebach

Anniebach Thu 20-Oct-16 13:34:13

True Mrsmopp, they knew the water was there, we all knew , and then to make the village pay towards moving the remaining tips was so wrong , the money was to be used for the upkeep of the memorial garden and the graves . Well we made sure these would not be affected and future generations must do the same. I hope the programme on the inquest and enquiry helped people understand the battle the village had against the NCB.

SueDonim Thu 20-Oct-16 13:40:12

Giving flowers is a lovely gesture, Anniebach. Your long post is heartbreaking. flowers

Anniebach Thu 20-Oct-16 14:00:35

I have a message for you all from a survivor from the school, but sadly her brother died .
She read your posts and was so moved that after fifty years you still extend such sympathy for her brother, her parents and grandparents, herself and all in the village , she will pass these on to her Aunt in the Wives Club

BBbevan Thu 20-Oct-16 14:55:47

Thank her for us Anniebach and thanks to you too

mrsmopp Thu 20-Oct-16 15:03:48

Anniebach I remember it all vividly- the world was weeping for Aberfan and it will never be forgotten. And we are all on your side. Don't know how the NCB got off Scot free and don't know how they sleep at night with that on their conscience.
God bless you all.